Method for rocket launching

Abstract

A method of assembling, preparing, transporting to a launch site, and launching a rocket is disclosed. The rocket includes multiple stages and a payload to be carried into space. The rocket's longitudinal main axis extends horizontally during the assembling, preparing, and transporting of the rocket. The completed rocket may be transferred from a ship to a floatable structure with the rocket's main axis extending horizontally. The floatable structure can be movable and can raise the rocket prior to launching the rocket into space.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method comprising: assembling, preparing, transporting to a launch site, and launching a rocket having a longitudinal main axis, wherein the rocket includes a plurality of parts and a payload which shall be transported into space, and wherein the assembling, preparing and transporting are performed with the rocket's main axis extending horizontally. 
     
     
       2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the assembling and preparing are performed onboard a transport device to construct a completed rocket, thereafter the completed rocket, still with the rocket's main axis extending approximately, horizontally, is transferred to a floatable structure. 
     
     
       3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the transport device is a ship, and the floatable structure is movable. 
     
     
       4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the steps of transferring the rocket from the ship to the floatable structure by bring the rocket through a port of the ship to a lifting platform, whereupon the rocket is lifted over to the floatable platform while maintaining the rocket's main axis extending approximately, horizontally. 
     
     
       5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the port is formed in a stem end of the ship. 
     
     
       6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the port is formed in a bow end of the ship. 
     
     
       7. The method according to claim 2, wherein the transport device is a ship with at least one covered deck, and the floatable structure is a semi-submersible platform including horizontal pontoons and vertical shafts with a deck provided on the shafts. 
     
     
       8. The method according to claim 7, wherein after the launching, the rocket travels in a direction away from the floatable platform, such that the rocket's trajectory is approximately 60 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the floatable platform's horizontal pontoons. 
     
     
       9. The method according to claim 2, wherein the transport device is a ship having facilities capable of simultaneously assembling, preparing and transporting plural multi-module rockets in a horizontal orientation. 
     
     
       10. The method according to claim 2, wherein the rocket is raised so that the rocket's main axis extends approximately vertically prior to launching the rocket. 
     
     
       11. The method according to claim 2, wherein after the launching, the rocket travels in a direction away from the floatable platform thus ensuring that the rocket is not over the floatable platform if an accident should occur.